The Finer Arts

*Scene: III* Persuasion

Narrator:

My, my, what do we have here? A gentleman stood at Nova's doorway, his arms full of groceries. He wore decent attire. Grey shirt under a red flannel, paired with dark blue jeans and brown boots. Short auburn hair blended with dull greys was slicked back and over out of his clean shaven face. The morning sun came through the breezeway and showed the wrinkles that folded in the corner of his eyes and lips as he smiled warmly. If it wasn't for his ugly tiger tattoo exposed on his forearm, Nova never would have guessed who it was.

Nova:

"Is that really you?!" I let him in, bewildered. Once I close the door behind him I circle and study him. I never would've guessed my Uncle had clothes this nice, or even where to find some. His ears are gauged too, his hair usually covers his ear so I never noticed before. What the f**k? That smile though, it was full of bright, shiny, white teeth. The only one I ever saw was his toothless one; hell, I wasn't even sure if that single tooth in his mouth was even part of his skull.

He laughed softly as he put all the groceries away. "Does French toast and sausage sound good to everyone?" Scott got a low mumble of agreement back as a response. I shot Jacob a look, " Are you seeing this? " He looks just as shocked as I do. My dad wasn't phased at all as he continued to nod in and out of sleep. I took matters into my own hands and joined Scott in the kitchen.

He was working on the French toast batter when I walked up to him. He smelled so different. A good difference of course. Now he smells of fresh clean linen with a touch of citrus. Not like cat turds and puddle water. "So, what is all this about?" I motion towards his makeover. He chuckled a bit, "You'll find out shortly enough, Nova." Even his accent was gone, who took my Uncle and who is this guy?

"No, I want an answer right now!" I demanded. I've never been a big fan of surprises, especially when my mom surprised me by never coming back home from going to the store when I was thirteen. For the first few years my dad blamed me for her leaving. It hurt him so much he drowned out his woes by drinking. It broke my heart when I first saw him with a bottle, he fought so hard for his years of sobriety. His hard work went down the drain just like that.

My dad chimed in before Scott could continue.. "Be patient, Nova. He's right, you'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, Relax and enjoy your breakfast. You'll thank us later. " He pulled open the cabinet above the refrigerator; A place I sure as hell can't get to. Inside was his favorite whiskey. He took the top off, then poured some of that dark, bitter liquid into his glassware.

Seeing that old glass for the first time in years took me back to when Mom first left. We lived off of delivery, frozen and canned food for months. I'd usually come home from school to my dad passed out in his recliner, the same glass resting next to him with watered down liquor. He never laid a hand on me, but there were times he'd yell and start stumbling everywhere. I'd just lock myself in my room until he fell asleep. I learned the hard way that he didn't want to sleep in his and mom's old bed anymore. One night after a long day of binge drinking I remember pulling him onto their bed. I had just gotten his shoes off when he woke up, furious. I got an earful, but looking back on it now I understand why he was upset. The bed is so cold and empty without mom. Every time my dad sleeps in it without her it just reminds him of how lonely he is. It makes him feel like less than a man. He blames himself the most for mom leaving.

"Alright, I think it's time we talk about the elephant in the room. What's going on?" I am dying to know! I couldn't hold my excitement anymore. Mostly everyone has finished their plate. My timing couldn't be any better! I watch Dad and Scott make eye contact; they say so much, with no sound in such little time. "It's about Southeastern." I was surprised my dad was the one to start, but I went with it. "There's another sector to their classes. It's only available to the magically inclined." What? My dad was terrible at pranks. "Magically inclined? What the hell is that supposed to mean? " I'm trying desperately to hold in laughter at this point. "Uncle Scott, did you sprinkle some magical herbs in dad's breakfast? " Jacob stopped and looked at the rest of his food. Scott laughed, but shook his head no.

" You're a wizard Nova. " Scott spoke up with an awful British accent.

I gotta hit refresh. Give me a minute--

My mind went blank. I was feeling so much it was like not feeling anything at all. This is a lame prank. Once I came back to reality I smiled at my uncle. "Well, please never do that accent ever again. I'm begging you, please. " I'm sorry Uncle Scott, something had to be said. "Secondly, why is this just now coming to my attention? Months away from enrollment? "

My dad spoke, never breaking eye contact. "Most people who carry the capability of understanding the finer arts show it at a much younger age than you have." What a total slap in the face. Why did he have to phrase it like that? He knows I'm sensitive. He takes a sip of whiskey before continuing, "The art professor saw your portfolio; The finer arts professor. He recognized your last name, and personally hunted down your portfolio. In summary he felt moved by your artwork, Nova. " My brain is officially mush right now. " So, I'm still going to Southeastern, but instead of professor Jamie I'll be studying under someone else? " My dad nodded silently, then brought his glass to his lips. "Professor Lorenzo Rossi to be exact. Uncle Scott, your mother and I all graduated before he enrolled. So I can't say too much about him personally . However, he's got a few books out explaining the differences of each form of art. We can go to the Trinkets and Treats District to get you one." My jaw dropped and my head started spinning. I couldn't grasp anything at all, it was all too much.

I stared at the dining table blankly, refusing eye contact with anyone. Do they think I'm an i***t, finally something came to mind, " what do you mean by, 'recognized your last name'? "I finally looked out from my haze and at the two men across the table from me. "LeCroy" they said in sync. Gees, no s**t guys, I know my last name. "So, what's special about the LeCroy family?" I push and dig for answers. Scott snickers towards my dad, "Oh, I'm surprised . I always thought that you or Rhonda would have told Nova a fairytale here or there when she was younger. " My dad snapped back, " This is no f*****g fairytale, Scott. You know this. " He rubbed his temple, took a sip and sighed. " The LeCroy bloodline dates back millennia ago. He was one of the main wizards who discovered the finer arts. " I'm preparing myself for a knowledge dump, but stayed quiet as I listened to my dad.

"There's 5 classic finer arts, painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and poetry. Each wizard was from a different continent to infuse different cultures into each creative form. As all five professors, LeCroy, Librada, Yao, Fadden, and Bongani came together to start the university they unlocked extensive powers linked behind each form of craft. Resulting in the, finer arts. " He wet his whistle with his malted liquid. " My side of the family, has provided strong magical abilities throughout my bloodline, same with your mother's, the Fadden family. Until you came along, Nova. For the longest time we thought you didn't receive any gifts from our bloodline. After what Professor Rossi said, we may have been wrong. " His face settles in an unemotional slab, mine flip into an expression of pure shock.